| “Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem,” – Ezra 7:27 |
|---|
| In reading Ezra 7, we learn how King Artaxerxes allowed God’s people to return to Jerusalem and authorized those who went to RESTORE the HOUSE of the LORD. As Ezra reports what the King has authorized him and other Jewish leaders to do one might expect him to pause and say something like “God save the King.” Instead, Ezra will break from reporting what the King has told them to do to extend gratitude and praise to the LORD GOD and give Him credit for putting into the king’s heart to do this great work. As I look at this verse two things stand out. One is how Ezra did acknowledge God for His work in the king’s heart. I trust you have an eye to see the invisible hand of God at work as you seek to do His work. On my journey, I have time and again been amazed at how God was working and working even when I did not know I needed Him to be working. A second thing I like about this verse is the word “beautify.” God put in the king’s heart to make His house look beautiful. I don’t know how you define beauty but for me, it has the idea of something that has been done with excellence. It does not have to be expensive to be beautiful though beauty does take intentional effort. So, in considering Ezra 7:27 are you alert to see God at work and then to acknowledge and praise the Lord for His invisible hand working for you? As well, do you look to make things that involve God’s work beautiful? Verse to DATE the Word on July 27 (7/27) is Ezra 7:27. It says, “Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem,” How have you seen God working lately through someone else that has impacted something you have been wanting to accomplish? Continue Strong trusting God to be working, And remember to DATE the Word |